I didn’t need a pregnancy test to know I was pregnant with my first (and only for now) child. All I had to do was feed my craving for a pickle. Sounds a little cliche doesn’t it? Never in my life had I enjoyed or wanted a pickle; even the taste of a pickle made me refuse whatever food was being offered. That all changed (temporarily) one day at Apple Lane Farms. One of my very best friends from my childhood was in town for a wedding. Just before she headed back to South Carolina, we ate at ALF for lunch. I always like to take out of town guests to restaurants that they can’t eat at anywhere else. I had actually never been to ALF before, but it wasn’t my first time to eat their food. My husband and I had tasted it when it was catered to our places of work.

After we ordered our sandwiches and sat down, all I could think about was that pickle spear I knew would be sitting next to my sandwich. A pickle that I would normally dismiss and hope that the juices didn’t touch my food.  This time it was different. Not only was I interested in eating the pickle, I was so eager to eat it I debated asking for my pickle while I waited on my sandwich. I didn’t want to create a scene to my husband and friend who knew I didn’t eat pickles. I knew they would immediately assume something I wanted to confirm before rumors started flying. So, I resisted and rejoiced when my plate finally arrived. I wanted to chow down on that pickle, but again, I didn’t want it to be obvious that I was craving a pickle. I took a few bites here and there in between bites of my sandwich and chips. I was safe, neither of them seemed to notice my all-of-a-sudden craving for pickles.

After we left the restaurant and my friend headed back to her SC home, I looked at my husband and said, “Did you notice what I ate at lunch?” Of course, he didn’t notice anything different. Typical male, huh? I said, “I ate a pickle. I think I’m pregnant!” And that was that…with a pregnancy test to confirm it two days later. And now we have an almost 2 year old that LOVES pickles! She has a jar in the fridge reserved only for her because she’s the only one in the house that likes them. In fact, after that one and only pickle I had at ALF, I never craved another. I guess I had to get it out of my system.

Well, I’ve probably got you thinking that this recipe involves pickles in some way. It actually has nothing to do with pickles or pickled anything. I tell you this story because this recipe is inspired by something on the menu at ALF. It’s a very simple sandwich–really, it’s just a grilled cheese sandwich with two extra ingredients. I love it for many reasons, 1) What kid doesn’t like a grilled cheese?, 2) You probably have almost everything you need sitting in your pantry or fridge, 3) It’s the perfect meal for those days when you have no clue what you are going to fix for dinner when you get home, 4) It’s also the perfect meal for lunch on the weekends, 5) It’s a great way to eat up any leftover ham from the holidays.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients:
Bread (any kind will do)
Sliced cheese (whatever you have in your fridge)
Sliced Pineapple (fresh or canned)
Deli ham
Butter

I don’t have quantities for each ingredient. You may be making this for yourself, you may be making it for an army. Some people like one slice of cheese, some like two. Some people like two slices of pineapple, some will like one. How do I like it? Two slices of both.

Directions:
1. Heat up your griddle to 300-325.
2. Grill both sides of the pineapple slices.

Grilling the pineapples

3.  While the pineapple is grilling, spread butter on one side of all pieces of bread.
4.  Build your sandwich (make sure the buttered side of the bread is face down on the grill).

Almost Done!

5.  Grill your sandwich on both sides until bread is crispy and browned and cheese is melted.

The Final Product

There you go! You’ve got your grains, dairy, protein, and fruit all combined in a grilled cheese sandwich. Pair it with baked chips and apple slices.

If you don’t have a griddle, use your George Foreman, sandwich maker, panini press, or just a plain ol’ greased or non-stick pan.

Get creative: instead of ham and pineapple, make it with turkey and peeled apple slices.

I want to take a moment for a shout out to Apple Lane Farms. Their sandwiches are so yummy and it’s one of our favorite lunch spots during the week. They don’t have a kids menu (if they do, I don’t know about it). However, they will prepare a meat and cheese plate (including a cookie) for the little ones that may not eat sandwiches yet. They’ve never charged us for the kids plate (which means we always leave a tip).

I hope you enjoy a twist on the grilled cheese sandwich. If you’ve never eaten at Apple Lane Farms, you should give it a shot!

About the author

Brittany Von Kanel is the wife of a wonderful husband and a SAHM to an adorable little girl. Some of Brittany's fondest memories are of laughing with her family around the dinner table. She finds it important to make family meal time a priority. Her goal is to make meal time easy and fun by providing ideas and recipes that encourage the family to gather together. She frequently blogs at A Merry Heart and you can follow her on Twitter @bjeanvk.